Ryan who?
Hey Everyone! I'm Ryan, I'm an artist living and working in the Chicago suburbs.
You name it, I enjoy working on it, from my Sculpture work to corporate branding. These "about" sections are so hard, you never know what to say.
I have worked as a graphic designer for my full time employer as well as multiple freelance clients for about 6 years. I often try and fuse my fine art background with my design background to keep my artwork entertaining, I'm a hands on artist so keeping it fresh is key for me. Let's be honest I spend the majority of my time making miniature shit holes.
I have a college degree.. if that is important to you..I can give you details if you email me.
I collect toys, mostly these days stuff from the 80's and 90's.
I have a wife, Alexis and a cat named Albus. Both support me in every move.
I use to tattoo in upstate New York and the Chicago suburbs, I still love and respect it.
I enjoy sketching for fun or for purpose.
FREQUENTLY ASKED SCULPTURE QUESTIONS
Where can I see more of your work/process?
You can follow me on Instagram at: What_thehell or visit my website frequently. I keep the website updated consistently when a new project is completed.
Do you take on commissions?
From time to time, shoot me an email!
Is anything for sale?
Many pieces that I post on social media, are available for purchase. To inquire, please email me at: rtmonahan13@gmail.com
How much do they cost?
Each sculpture is unique, consisting of different components and labor. The average size piece cost around $3,000 and increases
depending on size, complexity, and other variables.
Do you ship your sculptures?
Yes I do; all sculptures are double-boxed, packed, and shipped via UPS or USPS with the utmost care. The typical shipping/packing cost for an
average size sculpture is roughly $150 within the US. International shipping is determined by location and size of carton.
Do you sell/ship Internationally?
Yes I do. Please contact me at rtmonahan13@gmail.com for inquires.
How long have you be involved in art?
I’ve been making art since I could hold anything that left a mark. I dabble in Fine Art as well as Graphic Design among other directions.
How long does it take to make a miniature sculpture?
The process can take several weeks or even months to complete depending on the complexity of the piece. With miniatures, there is a great amount of fine
detail that is involved and by nature this creates additional, necessary time.
Can you do sculptures other than Cityscapes?
Let’s find out! I am always open to trying new ideas.
Are all of your sculptures reproductions of larger, existing structures?
No, the majority of my work, with the exception of one or two pieces, are all fictional structures and businesses (created by me)…that’s part of the Art!
I often keep a large collection of reference images I use to keep my fictional facades as realistic as possible.
What is your process to start one of your sculptures?
When I begin new project, many hours are spent researching, sketching, planning, and considering. I keep a three-ring binder, full of reference photos, near me
at all times so I can keep my eyes open to what the world looks like without having to travel all over. Although, I sure would love to travel more often to see things in person.
Once I have a good plan/direction developed, I begin to mock things up and start to plan the structural supports for what will eventually become the building facade.
From there I just ping pong around a bunch until I start to flesh out the sculpture, adding detail and textures as I go.
Once the overall piece is put together I start to massage it a bit, adding and removing things to get the desired look and feel that I’m after.
This part can make or break it, since most of the narrative of the sculpture comes from this process.
What are the materials you use to create your sculptures?
I use a wide variety of materials in my artwork, very wide…The main materials I use include a variety of foam, papers, plastics, and lightweight woods.
I am known for scavenging litter while out on walks and repurposing it in my artwork.
Do you use any pre-made or purchased items in your artwork?
No. I design, create, and fabricate all of the items within my sculptures - from the structure, to the signage, to the base.
I use a variety of tools, both power and hand, to create the works of art.
Do you sell supplies for miniatures?
I do not; the supplies and materials I create are just created for the specific piece and are not mass produced for individual sale.
Do you have a Youtube channel?
No, sadly I do not have any plans to start one, I suck at making movies.